Cytotoxic and anti-tumor effects of 3,4-seco-lupane triterpenoids from the leaves of Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus against hepatocellular carcinoma

Triterpenoids from the leaves of Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus, and their antiproliferative activities in TNF-α induced HFLS-RA cells

Five undescribed elesesterpenes L-U, along with nine known 3,4-seco-lupane-type triterpenoids were isolated from the leaves of Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus (Rupr. & Maxim.) S. Y. Hu. Elesesterpene L-S, and U were lupane-type triterpenoids, whereas elesesterpene T was an oleanane-type triterpenoid, probably artifact, as suggested by LC-MS analysis. Out of the nine known compounds, five were initially identified in E. sessiliflorus. Moreover, their structures were definitively determined using spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configurations of elesesterpenes L-M and sachunogenin 3-O-glucoside were clarified using X-ray crystallographic techniques. The absolute configuration of elesesterpene T was determined by measuring and calculating its ECD. In addition, all compounds were tested to examine their ability to inhibit the proliferation of HFLS-RA cells induced by TNF-α in vitro. Elesesterpene M, chiisanogenin, chiisanoside, and 3-methylisochiisanoside significantly inhibited HFLS-RA proliferation.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus (Rupr. & Maxim.) S.Y.Hu: A Review

Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus (Rupr. & Maxim.) S.Y.Hu (E. sessiliflorus), a member of the Araliaceae family, is a valuable plant widely used for medicinal and dietary purposes. The tender shoots of E. sessiliflorus are commonly consumed as a staple wild vegetable. The fruits of E. sessiliflorus, known for their rich flavor, play a crucial role in the production of beverages and fruit wines. The root barks of E. sessiliflorus are renowned for their therapeutic effects, including dispelling wind and dampness, strengthening tendons and bones, promoting blood circulation, and removing stasis. To compile a comprehensive collection of information on E. sessiliflorus, extensive searches were conducted in databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, and CNKI. This review aims to provide a detailed exposition of E. sessiliflorus from various perspectives, including phytochemistry and pharmacological effects, to lay a solid foundation for further investigations into its potential uses. Moreover, this review aims to introduce innovative ideas for the rational utilization of E. sessiliflorus resources and the efficient development of related products. To date, a total of 314 compounds have been isolated and identified from E. sessiliflorus, encompassing terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, volatile oils, organic acids and their esters, nitrogenous compounds, quinones, phenolics, and carbohydrates. Among these, triterpenoids and phenylpropanoids are the primary bioactive components, with E. sessiliflorus containing unique 3,4-seco-lupane triterpenoids. These compounds have demonstrated promising properties such as anti-oxidative stress, anti-aging, antiplatelet aggregation, and antitumor effects. Additionally, they show potential in improving glucose metabolism, cardiovascular systems, and immune systems. Despite some existing basic research on E. sessiliflorus, further investigations are required to enhance our understanding of its mechanisms of action, quality assessment, and formulation studies. A more comprehensive investigation into E. sessiliflorus is warranted to delve deeper into its mechanisms of action and potentially expand its pharmaceutical resources, thus facilitating its development and utilization.

Synthesis and anti-proliferative activity of dehydroabietinol derivatives bearing a triazole moiety

In search of more efficacious antitumor agents, a series of novel dehydroabietinol derivatives containing a triazole moiety was synthesized, and evaluated for cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines. Many exhibited superior cytotoxic profiles compared to the parent molecule, dehydroabietic acid. In particular, compounds 5g, 5i and 5j exhibited promising cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging from 4.84 to 9.62 μM against all the test cell lines. Cell clone formation and migration tests of compound 5g showed that it not only effectively inhibited the formation of MGC-803 cell colonies but also inhibited the MGC-803 cell migration and invasion. Additionally, the preliminary pharmacological mechanism indicated compound 5g induced apoptosis, arrested the mitotic process at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased the intracellular ROS and Ca2+ levels.

Seco-Lupane Triterpene Derivatives Induce Ferroptosis through GPX4/ACSL4 Axis and Target Cyclin D1 to Block the Cell Cycle

In this study, 70 new seco-lupane triterpene derivatives were designed, synthesized, and characterized, and their in vitro anticancer activities were evaluated. Structure-activity relationship studies showed that most compounds inhibited the growth of a variety of tumor cells in vitro. With the extension of alkyl chains, the activity of azole compounds gradually increased while that of indole compounds first increased and then decreased. Moreover, all indole derivatives showed stronger anticancer activity than azole derivatives. In addition, compound 21 showed the strongest inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 0.97 μM. Mechanistic studies showed that compound 21 coregulates the cell death process by inducing ferroptosis and regulating the cell cycle. In conclusion, compound 21 can be used as a ferroptosis inducer and cycle blocker to regulate the HepG2 death process, and it has the potential to become an effective new drug for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.